TRYING TO STAN THE TAYLOR SWIFT FOLKLORE TRILOGY THEORY! (CARDIGAN AUGUST & BETTY)

[@mzcescapie]

I love the how the line in Betty "I'm only 17, I don't know anything" is the antithesis of the line in Cardigan "When you are young they assume you know nothing." I pictured it as James (the POV of "Betty") trying to excuse their actions to Betty (the POV of "Cardigan") by saying that they were young and naive, but Betty basically saying back "hey I'm the same age as you and I know that's bullshit."

[@plantaisle]

also in cardigan "i knew everything when i was young"

[@maxwellmccoy1815]

hell yes. i love this. chefs kiss 😘

[@toomuchpassion2361]

@@plantaisle My favorite part is that she then started listing the things she knew would happen and have seen happen. Lines like, "chasing shadows down grocery lines. Leaving like a father, running like water." Brilliant!! Betty knew James would come back to her. She also knew that she wouldn't take him back.

[@julialw02]

The "Peter losing Wendy" line relates to that too. Peter lost Wendy because he was unwilling to grow up

[@lucyheartfilia9077]

@@julialw02 omg I didn’t even think of that line that way and it was so obvious🤦🏻‍♀️

[@luizamlv]

I really think you’d really like her whole album 🥰

[@swiftlylovestruck]

PERIOD HE WOULD

[@minceroft3710]

im begging im BEGGING

[@sophiaw2195]

plEASE!!!

[@joshuaramon123]

Plsss

[@irinaionete937]

"Peter losing Wendy" - Peter refused to grow up, so Wendy eventually left Neverland. "I don't know anything" (Betty) versus "I knew everything when I was young" (Cardigan). Taylor Swift also said it's a teenage love triangle, told from 3 different perspectives at different times in their lives. Cardigan seems to be told from a future perspective looking back on the past, the good memories and the bad (Taylor wrote in the album prologue "A cardigan that still bears the scent of loss twenty years later"). Love the word play in August, I think it captures the excitement but also the heartbreak, "August slipped away" (fleeting, wasn't meant to last because "you weren't mine to lose") versus "August sipped away like a bottle of wine" (sipped as in enjoyed at that particular moment, trying to make it last as long as possible). Basically, Taylor is an amazing song writer. Loved your video, I would really like seeing more about Taylor Swift's music! I hope you are doing well!

[@emilyreadseverything04]

i think you should totally listen to some of the other songs from the album because of how amazing the stories are told. i really recommend - the 1 - exile - my tears ricochet - invisible string

[@TheLandOfDreamers]

I totally agree!!

[@nuorhhakuhsopfersun3790]

did you really just do illicit affairs like that 👀

[@emilyreadseverything04]

nuorhha kuhsopfersun YOURE RIGHT IM SORRY ILLICIT AFFAIRS RIGHTS

[@josetarre9953]

Sevennnnn

[@josetarre9953]

And epiphanyyyy 😍

[@katelynzdanowicz9748]

A short essay on why I believe that Cardigan is also a letter to Taylor's fans: To clarify this is my viewpoint of the song and I 100% think that it has the double meaning of the storyline for the love stories. There is also a lot of lyrics I haven't decoded yet, and I'm just one person looking into this, I'm sure that twitter has more of an explanation somewhere. With all poetry, it's up to the reader on how they understand the content, and I'm not saying that any of this is fact. Someone who hasn't been a fan for a while probably wouldn't see this as easily, but the beginning lyrics "vintage tee, brand new phone, high heels on, cobblestones, sequin smile, black lipstick, sensual politics" seems to be a poetic list of all of the albums she has made. "vintage tee (Taylor)" is the Taylor Swift album, "brand new phone" is the Fearless album, "high heels on" is the Speak Now album, "cobblestones" is the Red album, "Sequin Smile" is 1989, "black lipstick" is the Reputation album, "sensual politics" is the Lover album. They all allude to them in a very intricate way that I don't really know how to explain. It's very aesthetic based for me. Some are easier to see than others, for example "sensual politics" points out that Lover was an incredibly romantic and relationship stance based album, but it's also the era in which she broke her political silence and spoke out about political issues she believed in. "black lipstick" is a very symbolic representation of the darkness and 'bad girl' vibe we got from reputation etc etc. "when you are young they assume you know nothing" is a nod to the criticism she got for starting her career at 15. I perceive the romantic parts as her knowing many of her fans were going through romantic endeavors and experiencing relationships along with her (we tend to turn to her music for relationship advice a lot.) "and when I felt like I was an old Cardigan under someone's bed, you put me on and said I was your favorite" connects the idea that when she had doubts about continuing her music and when shit got tough, her fans uplifted her and inspired her to keep going. This is where I think the symbolism of her clinging to the piano in the water really solidifies the concept. Just the same as how we needed her music at some point in our lives, she needed the music. She has spoken about how getting the emotions and thoughts out and into a song is therapeutic for her. That's what I get from the life raft being the music. The fans gave her a reason to keep writing. "I knew you'd linger like a tattoo kiss" is her way of saying that she knew we wouldn't give up on her, and "I knew you'd miss me for the longest time" explains how it was painful for her to perform songs that held a lot of emotional baggage for her every night on her tour. That entire section of lyrics kind of explains this phenomenon that even when we are happy and emotionally stable and we don't need to hear the depressing breakup songs, there is always some twist of life that brings us back to her music in one way or another. I would love for others to add on or give different ideas for the lyrics, but when I listen to this song on it's own, this is what I hear.

[@laurenhase6572]

I thought the same thing, especially with the imagery with the piano, but just didn’t know how to put it into words! thank you!!

[@srishtiahuja3471]

you did something to me

[@maxwellmccoy1815]

i really love this interpretation! its was well thought out and worded perfectly and im gonna be thinking about it for a long time 🧐❤️

[@handsomemahlambi]

Ooh I love this one Your mind🙌🏽❤️✨

[@sreoshibhaumik5891]

I looooooove this

[@TurtleStormer]

“You don’t get to bring up the cardigan like that!” Yes, just yes.

[@CaiticatASMR]

I SCREAMED. YES. YES.

[@haleywagner1962]

You have no idea how much I LOVE that you reacted to this. Taylor's seen as this shallow popstar that only talks about her ex's, but if you look beyond her radio singles and listen to her deep emotional breathtaking songs that arent promoted, you would see a whole different person! If you decide to do more of her songs (which I REALLY hope you do), I would reccomend All too well, Dear John, You are in love, The Best Day, False God, Soon you'll get better, Lover, State of Grace, Tied together with a smile, Out of the Woods, My tears ricochet, and so many many more!

[@mountainrock7682]

PREACH!!!

[@eliselapointe7013]

Are you trying to make him cry? Those are some of her saddest songs

[@haleywagner1962]

@@eliselapointe7013 😂 I dont WANT him to cry, I just feel like some of her saddest are the best lyrically. I'm a sucker for deep cuts. And if he happens to cry, he cries. Nothing wrong with music moving you in such a deep way.

[@eliselapointe7013]

I know those are great tracks. It's just that we've really been hitting him hard with the sad tracks. Taylor has so many amazing songs. The one's you've listed are great songs. I'm just happy he's reacting to Taylor

[@theskeptic777]

Trying to stan taylor swifts Folklore (Aka another vid of bill crying for 25 minutes)

[@mr.non-existent8137]

@kimochi i can see him crying to "my tears ricochet" or "epiphany"

[@Thesmus]

ajayll teared up to this album, so I am also seeing bill crying to this album XD

[@ZeroOhClock]

@@mr.non-existent8137 seven also. He'd at least get upset by seven

[@dani010203stor]

the "trying" has lost effect 😂

[@kentokim]

Oh my god dude I just listened to the whole Folklore album now, like right right now because my friend is a swiftie (I'm not) and I know it would mean a lot to her if I listened to it and surprised her but I really enjoyed the album. Surprisingly I got really emotional for many songs. My favourite song was my tears ricochet. I hope you listen to the whole album.

[@gracehoy1581]

i'm so pleased to hear new listeners enjoying folklore:) i've been a fan for ages and its hard to see people being so negative about her music just because of what the media says but i am loving all the open minded newbies willing to listen to her simply because she writes good music!

[@kentokim]

@@gracehoy1581 her music is great to be honest and so are her messages. I have been listening to her casually over the years (blank space) but damn I really connected to folklore.

[@katieh558]

"I'm not a Swifty so maybe I'm a Shaky" lmao

[@juliak6920]

Oh God YES!! Your interpretation skills and Taylor's music are a perfect combination. You don't just listen to the music, you dive deeper and I LOVE IT, and that's also the way you should listen to this album, it's so full of stories and there's so much to read into in these songs. So glad you did this!!

[@footgoblin]

Ikr he really dives in the depth to understand a song, and that makes him the best person to listen to taylor swift

[@juliak6920]

@@footgoblin exactly

[@joshuaramon123]

I need a folklore reaction/review from him ASAP

[@juliak6920]

@@joshuaramon123 same, I'd love that

[@clary2659]

you gotta listen to the whole album! other songs have nods to the trilogy too (like the 1 and illicit affairs) also you HAVE to listen to exile you're gonna love it for sure

[@TheTeo102]

Yesss please do more of Taylor Swift's stuff, I think you'd quite like: Mean, Ours, The Lucky One, Enchanted, Long Live, Breathe, Mine, Clean, All too Well, Never Grow Up, Fearless, Back to Decemver, The story of us, Begin Again, Getaway Car, 22, You are in love, The last time, all of Folklore seems really up your alley too, Delicate, It's nice to have a friend, London Boy, Paper Rings, Sad Beautiful Tragic, Treacherous, The way I loved you, Wonderland... I missed some great ones I'm sure but you need to see more of this woman's talents and message over time

[@sennacookie5043]

das a lotta songs. They're great, don't get me wrong, but damn

[@coryharbour57]

You mentioned a bunch of great ones, but also Death by a thousand cuts!!!! It has the most unique sound and best imagery on Lover in my opinion. I love that entire album but this is my favorite song on there! Also, I actually love having people start with Tim McGraw. It’s such a well written song and was the start of it all!

[@kylejackson6531]

Let me get this right Cardigan: betty’s song (the person who was cheated on ) August: the person who is never named( the person who was cheating with james but wanted more) Betty: james/butthole’s song( the person who cheated on betty)?

[@raemorefield4677]

yup :)

[@caseycantrell3836]

i wonder if hoax is a continuation of Betty and James's relationship after they got back together

[@bibiinoliv]

@@caseycantrell3836 it's probably not. it's just a trilogy.

[@sultanalqassimi3751]

Yupppp and other songs tie into the story but not exclusively about the triangle Examples The 1 Mirrorball Seven? Maybe? This is me trying Illicit affairs Hoax

[@raemorefield4677]

@@sultanalqassimi3751 there's a really good theory I like that attempts to tie all the songs together, all in fun of course

[@jaredtuburan6314]

Omg, I wanna see Bill's analysis on the other songs in this album! Songs like "exile" and "my tears ricochet"! It'd be sooooo interesting and cool

[@aprajitasingh9802]

Taylor out does herself with every album she puts out. She is master storyteller, and this album is so mystical and magical, yet so real. According to her own words, she let her imagination run wild for this album and chose to write her stories, but also wrote from the perspective of people she has never know. People she has met, or people she wish she hadn’t. She puts out these forwards about the albums, the folklore one is a 1 page forward which is on her insta and twitter. It will give you a glimpse of what was going through her mind. I hope you will listen to the other tracks as well. Will love to see more of Taylor Swift on here since you focus on lyrics and meaning.

[@GiulianaRiccii]

I agree with what you said about reflecting in the way I have an impact on others. Taylor wrote a song with this lyrics: ‘so casually cruel in the name of being honest’ and it made realize how cruel can I be with my honesty, now I try to be more careful. Yeah, All to well is a breakup song but it taught me something. I think that’s powerful.

[@kayleighokane4936]

2:47 August “remember when I pulled up and said ‘get in the car’” - 2:47 Betty “She said, ‘James get in’”, 3:13 Betty “I’m here on your doorstep” - 3:13 Cardigan “and you’d be standing in my front porch light” HER MIND

[@saramaguire8413]

react to more taylor swift! you'd love the Red album

[@shiaoweiz]

aaaa red is a masterpiece also rep

[@clary2659]

another very clever play on their perspectives is that peter loses wendy on the story because he doesn't want to grow up, james says on his song "i'm only 17 i don't know anything" and betty says on hers "i knew everything when i was young", showing how their relationship was doomed to fail. TAYLOR SWIFT IS A GENIUS GUYS

[@haroldkloran4323]

Defiantly check out 'exile' w/ bon iver from folklore

[@adelecooper6709]

Trying to stan Louis Tomlinson -Two of us -defenseless - don’t let it break your heart - habit

[@luizamlv]

Yesss! He would live DLIBYH and the meaning behind Two of Us 🥺

[@shivanijoshi9439]

only the brave too!!

[@adelecooper6709]

Shivani Joshi yesss

[@ayvidyan]

I've been suggesting Louis too!! He would love Two of us.

[@molleeloeskow1025]

These song suggestions are spot on! Also would love to see him react to habit and two of us because they are my favourites.

[@saramaguire8413]

Some other songs that could fall into this love triangle are "the 1", "this is me trying", "illicit affairs", and "hoax"

[@interstate1049]

try re-listening to hoax and imagining it is about Scott B. I think you will find a whole new level of meaning

[@saramaguire8413]

@@interstate1049 truueeee it could honestly be about both situations

[@brandiking2045]

I also think these songs are about this trilogy! My theory is that James & Betty got back together at her party after he had his August “fling” (think Cardigan: drunk under a streetlight. To kiss in cars AND downtown bars - both lyrics show progressing together past high school). Then perhaps illicit affairs is the perspective of another girl he had an affair with... or even the same girl? Also another crazy link is that Rebecca Harkness IS Betty (supposedly her nickname) and that her and James had gotten married/divorced (how does a middle class divorcee do it). Then she partied and her next husband died and then she became a mad woman... lol! I’ve thought way too hard about this album... 😅

[@alvinbisquera6808]

@@brandiking2045 that's such a reach omg. But go off sis. ✨✨

[@brandiking2045]

Alvin Bisquera haha I am actually convinced James & Betty got back together. Now it being about Rebecca, I’m not sure. But some fans have said her nickname was Betty 🤷‍♀️lol

[@jessrambles1]

"You don't get to bring up the cardigan like that!" lmao bill you always make me laugh. i'd love to see you react to the rest of the album, I think you'd really enjoy it

[@emmahudson5399]

the way you said ‘it was just a summer thing’ before you’d even heard betty which has that exact line

[@clementinekitten8305]

huh, when i was listening to folklore i thought to myself "i wonder if bill will react to this" and lo and behold! taylor swift has always been a great songwriter, and folklore is an excellent example of it! my personal fave off the album is exile, and jack antonoff, a producer on the album, said august is one of his favourites he's ever worked on with swift. the juxtaposition of "when you are young they assume you know nothing" and "i'm only 17, i don't know anything" is very interesting to me. also, i wheezed out loud when you cursed out james/butthole. i definitely wouldn't be opposed to more t swift vids! i'll throw in my two cents for a new tts: glass animals (black mambo, the other side of paradise, poplar street, cocoa hooves, gooey, and mama's gun are some faves) and mother mother (it's alright, dread in my heart, mouth of the devil, problems, the stand, back to life, verbatim, and get out the way are some faves from them!)

[@hiimhanna7152]

jack antonoff only worked on five songs on this album, the other 11 were produced by Aaron Dessner

[@nehanaik2040]

Try to stan LOUIS TOMLINSON Kill my mind Two of us Don't let it break your heart Only the brave

[@gabrielasiqueira4918]

Trying to stand Louis Tomlinson: • Only the brave • Miss you • Two of Us • Kill my Mind • Walls (If you do please don't forget only the brave it's a amazing song please)

[@Amm2187_]

YESsSSSssSSsS!!!!!!! I’ve been waiting and hoping for this for sooooo long. The way you think about songs lyrics and analyze song meanings is perfect for her songwriting abilities!! If you liked these, I highly recommend: - All Too Well - The Moment I Knew (goes with All Too Well) - Exile - My Tears Ricochet - The Archer - Daylight - Dear John - Out of the Woods - Blank Space - Invisible String - Safe and Sound - Cruel Summer - Clean Also, the comment about medical stuff definitely has me a bit worried. Please take care of yourself and be safe. If you need to take more time away from KZbin, please do it. We’ll be here when you feel up to it. ❤️❤️❤️

[@chrishrcam]

Yees, I've been waiting too! I really hope he does more!

[@eliselapointe7013]

I see too many track 5's on that list. The taste is immaculate. Yet, it looks like a tear jerker on this list

[@thefussyfox1861]

Honestly, I'd love to see you react to the whole album. It's beautiful. 🤍

[@emilylohr1467]

glad you're finally getting into Taylor's stuff! this album really isn't like any of hero others, she really changed it up this time around. i recommend reacting to "Cruel Summer", "Out of the Woods", "Getaway Car" and "Long Live". those are some really solid bangers tbh. ALSO: "Wear a mask! F**k." is such a mega mood, lol

[@snowgough7051]

Can you please do a trying to stan Sleeping At Last - Two - Six - Seven - Eight Any of the Enneagram songs would be amazing or better yet whatever enneagram you are. That would make it a lot more meaningful.

[@SarahHeringer18]

And Saturn, because I'm not crying alone

[@lucyrain9621]

(And Three and Nine)

[@free_falling_in_abyss]

I absolutely love sleeping at last and son, daughter, Neptune, Venus, Mars and turning page are great too!

[@puppypawspaula]

His stanning saturn tho

[@GiulianaRiccii]

Im a Swiftie and I would love to see your thoughts in her music but please, if you do, keep in mind that sometimes she’s creating and playing with characters dynamics. For example Blank space is not about her, it’s about the way media sees her. (She can sound a little bit mean without context) I know you care about others so I thought I would be good to warn you

[@charlottemens5234]

trying to Stan Hobo Johnson: -peach scone -romeo and Juliet -typical story -mover awayer -i want a dog

[@MsLindaluu]

Honestly, any person who says your friends are stupid needs to go. But James/butthole really is very immature about what he did and what it meant to Betty and how much she hurt. I feel like he had been trying to talk to her while at school and then decided he'd do the big crazy romantic gesture that usually works in the movies by showing up at Betty's party.

[@wordswithdragons9599]

i think you'd really like "epiphany" and "this is me trying" from this album too!

[@lilyelva1705]

would love to see more trying to stan taylor swift!!! song suggestions: all too well, death by a thousand cuts, dear john, out of the woods, you are in love, getaway car

[@clary2659]

the story of the trilogy goes like this: james (betty's perspective) cheated on betty (cardigan's perspective) during the summer with an unknown person (august's perspective). while betty in the moment forgave james and kissed him when he came back, the relationship couldn't hold up after he cheated ("chase two girls, lose the one"). cardigan is written from betty's perspective when she's older looking back at her relationship with james.

[@Anna13Tonks]

You're one of the VERY few people to understand the symbolism behind the songs, not just the lyrics but the sheer musicality and melodies, I'm really amazed. You're fucking great dude 😳 there's literal music critics out there completely unable to understand

[@squircle3593]

betty is better when i imagine the story being about closeted gay teens dating in secret

[@raemorefield4677]

wait but there is no proof of that theory

[@meandmybobbygee1812]

@@raemorefield4677 it's not a theory it's an interpretation (I see it that way too even though there isn't "proof" it's gay)

[@raemorefield4677]

@@meandmybobbygee1812 omg I just realized I misread the comment I read remember not imagine for some reason 😭 of course it's a very valid interpretation

[@kamallb4650]

👀👀🤭😏😏

[@acetales148]

@@ftvju James is a girl though based on James and Inez, Blake Livelys kids and possibly Taylor herself (James Taylor who she was named after)

[@maxwellmccoy1815]

😭 thank you so much for reacting to these songs! i'm acutely aware of what people think of taylor swifts music, and its not for everyone, but she's 100% my favorite artist. I knew even if you didnt love her music that you would be respectful and you exceeded my expectations 🥰 if you enjoyed these songs i think you would really enjoy the rest of the folklore album! Taylor really paints a picture in this album, more so than usual and i want Everyone to listen to it lmao. also i would absolutely LOVE if you reacted to more of her. I feel like i'm constantly trying to decode her music and would love to see your take on it.

[@ash_x5211]

I love your videos so much💜 Please could you do a trying to stan Louis Tomlinson if that’s ok? Some songs you could do are -Two of us -Just like you -Only the brave -Habit -We made it -Don’t let it break your heart -Just hold on -Kill my mind Honestly I could list his entire album it’s so great and he is so often under appreciated and push aside so I’d be so thankful if you could do a video on him as I love your videos sm but no pressure💜

[@jchall2062]

I tend to agree with the Rolling Stone review of his last album. His writing reminds one of the high school quarter back who stayed back in his hometown, living off past glory, while his friends moved on to bigger things. I for one enjoyed 1D..but Louis seems stuck in the same lane _ thirsty for HS.

[@ash_x5211]

Jc Hall I think he is an amazing song writer and he actually wrote on so many of 1D’s song’s so I don’t get how you can say you like 1D and not louis when he had one of the biggest impacts on the bands song’s. As for him living off past glory. He is writing his songs from his past experiences and obviously 1D was a big part of his past. Not that he even write’s about 1D that much really..

[@bonnieplattner3094]

Ashley ..into their amazing harmonies forte of producer Julian Bunetta Lost with solo careers.

[@jchall2062]

The 1D vibe was produced by song writers Julian Bunetta and John Ryan. Personally. I also liked the way they worked with Horan on Flicker. Was also impressed by Harry's 1D songwriting.

[@aurelia6254]

louis tomlinson? he has very beautiful lyrics. -two of us -walls -fearless -defenceless -only the brave :)

[@pau7016]

the way he didn't even catch up James' name proves my theory that it's ambiguous on purpose and i love that for Taylor's journey

[@JackieWarner13]

"I want all the Taylor break up songs" Ohhh mate defs listen to All Too Well, The Moment I Knew, Dear John those are only some break up songs/sad songs by Miss Swift.

[@alexandragvasalia3813]

Try to stan Louis Tomlinson: Two of us Don’t let it break your heart Defenceless Fearless Kill my mind

[@shivanijoshi9439]

only the brave!!!

[@nayaslover]

Habit! Too young!

[@ishasalian3389]

And Perfect now

[@alexandragvasalia3813]

Isha Salian of course

[@jchall2062]

Larry fans are hard core loyalists.

[@mararuiz2554]

Omg your interpretation of Betty opened my eyes!!! Tbh my hopeless romantic side thought that James (butthole) actually felt sorry for cheating, but hearing you interpret the song the way you did it showed me the parts I was missing!!! This is why I love your videos!!!

[@ProdigalDaughterAlice]

Hey, I commented on this way back when you posted it, but if you feel like doing another short Swift video (i.e. not trying to cover her massive and lovely backlog) there's a pair of songs on her new album Evermore that are connected like these three-- Tis the Damn Season and Dorothea. They're also two of the best damn songs on the album imo! I love all your videos. So good. I gotta go listen to some of the artists you've been doing lately so I can know what you're talking about again lol

[@narwhalemimi]

YOU NEED TO HEAR EXILE with Bon Iver !!! Pleaseee 😭😂 Also My Tears Ricochet 👌🏼 Loved your reactionss !!

[@nogahbarouch938]

Can you please react to King Princess? Her songs include: Talia, 1950, Holy, Prophet, Hit the Back

[@katsala918]

And Upper West Side

[@nehabhageria9877]

Also her singles are just for radio play her deeper cuts showcase some of her best works...all too well, dancing with our hands tied,Cornelia Street,sad beautiful tragic,clean,this love,daylight,come back be here,you are in love,death by a thousand cuts, treacherous and so many more

[@joshuaramon123]

Yeah this album promotes seeing the human in everybody’s perspectives, even though they make mistakes they are still human who feels emotions. in this society, people are quick to dismiss and invalidate someone’s feelings because they focus first on giving their judgement.

[@laleevee.f]

BILL THANK YOU YESSSS THIS MADE MY WHOLE DAY I LOVE YOUR REACTIONS SO MUCH! If you want to listen to more ts (you don't have to have a reaction just for chill days) I would recommend -all too well -delicate -lover -cruel summer -dancing with out hands tied -clean -this love -enchanted These are just a couple of my faves Hope you're having a good day! Take care of yourself, please Edit: folklore is freaking sad. All of it. Seven and epiphany kill me every time so I would advise caution when approaching if you're feeling vulnerable

[@shannonm6118]

PLEASE do more Taylor Swift!!! You're one of my favourite reactors because of your in-depth analysis and perspectives! They're on point and woke, and I'm here for it!!

[@meganmp3]

you'd love the whole album tbh! i'd recommend: the 1, my tears ricochet, peace, mad woman, and the last great american dynasty (to throw in something that won't make you cry)

[@katarinakorlat8707]

These 3 songs sound connected but I can't shake off a feeling that Exile is story that happens after Betty, he sees her at the party dancing with another guy in Betty and then Exile starts Also "I think I've seen this film before, I didn't like the ending", connected to Cardigan when she said "I knew you, tried to change the ending, Peter losing Wendy"

[@anabergespolo8631]

Finally someone who hates James as much as I do!!!!! Yasss!! Like, I know Betty is a beautiful song and for like 4 minutes you feel for him but as soon as the music is over I go back to hating him. Sleeping with someone else for a whole month is not a mistake, once I could understand but this was a whole affair and the lyric "slept next to her but thought of you all summer long" makes me so so mad, like if you thought of your girlfriend all summer long why did you go back to that poor other girl!

[@jchall2062]

Im more enraged for that poor girl than I am Betty.

[@samanthachase117]

yay!!! i love taylor and think she’s truly one of the best lyricists of our generation so i’m so excited to see you listening to her. she has a lot of deeper, emotionally honest break up songs like august that i bet you’d like (all too well is widely regarded as one of her best songs). but all of folklore has a very introspective feel like that and i’d love to see you react to more!

[@__ellaa]

Hi, hope you’re well, I’ve seen a few comments suggesting him but Louis Tomlinson is such a great songwriter -only the brave -two of us -we made it -just like you -kill my mind -don’t let it break your heart -fearless

[@jchall2062]

Great songwriter?!? Out of all the 1D lads , his writing is the most stuck back in the boyband. Era. Not that there is anything wrong with that. But great?

[@__ellaa]

Jc Hall, it’s okay to have your own opinion, but he is credited on a lot of 1D’s later songs and helped them move past the bubblegum pop sound a bit, and personally I love his lyrics, and the sound he goes for in his album, but again, it’s all personal opinion.

[@jchall2062]

@@__ellaa ...The "One Direction Sound" is songwriter/producer Julian Bunetta and John Ryan. The only 1D lad whose songwriting impressed me was Harry Styles. Even when only 18. Louis is becoming the Selena Gomez of boy pop. She made a musical career out of her obsession with Bieber. Louis lyrics are the same with Harry. Know that keeps Larry fans hard core Louis loyalists,

[@jchall2062]

But he gets so few streams. I'm surprised anyone else l listens.. Noel Gallagher got a writing credit for the Oasis Sounds Louis pinched. Copied the sound of brother Liam singing.

[@__ellaa]

Jc Hall of course as a fan of oasis he is going to be inspired by them, doesn’t mean he is “copying” because he is going for a similar style?

[@enzorivera4667]

REACT TO HARRY STYLES MEDICINE(st paul

[@taytaywinchester8214]

OH MY GOD YES I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS

[@meetiraonline]

Yayyyyy my many days of requests worked!!!!

[@camo442]

dude i really love you and your take on lyrics and songs and i think it’s beautiful. i’m really glad that you liked folklore! also please please remember to focus on mental health !! stay safe

[@santosluisa13]

Maybe im not a swiftie, maybe im a shaky GAKSHAK perfect I'm commenting while I watch just to say that your initial toughts about James in Betty? HELL YES Ok I'm back after finishing it haha and it's SO NICE to listen to you talking about Betty (the song). Because when I heard I hated the character. I was like NO YOU MADE BETTY AND AUGUST CRY and now you come with this happy-ish song to say KISS ME like?? Hahah but you put my thoughts in a very organized way. And you pointed the fact that the songs are more open about gender and i loved this theme on Folklore. I'd LOVE if you did a reaction on the song Seven from this album.

[@TheLandOfDreamers]

I have been so excited to see what you’d do from this album and Bill you have not disappointed at all! I’d love to see your thoughts on the rest of the album too! Especially the 1, seven and invisible strings :) A different artist I’d love to hear your thoughts on is Raleigh Ritchie! Particularly time in a tree, you’re a man now boy, cowards and sadboi. I think he has really interesting lyrics and concepts you can really get into :)

[@julia2802]

Trying to stan Sleeping at Last! please! some songs: - Saturn - Earth - Light - Neptune - Venus - any song from the “Enneagram” album

[@actress5256]

I would love a full trying to Stan on Taylor!! This video was awesome! I think you’d love Cornelia street, New Year’s Day, death by a thousand cuts, red, Illicit affairs, and I think he knows!! This is a very random assortment but some of my recent-ish faves

[@gwineder]

You should try listening to All too well, Clean, New Year's Day as far as older Taylor songs

[@AbigailD23]

I got an ad for the Cardigan video in the middle of the reaction to Cardigan hahaha.

[@colleen_marie]

I like to interpret the story that after the dance James and Betty had a fight/break up and James moved on really fast to August girl but was clearly not over Betty, Betty thought that they were going to get back together when they got back to school but she heard about the summer fling. I feel like it allows me to see James as a bit more redeemable, rather than it being a cheating situation it’s more of a stupid, quick decision and hurt someone you still really love in the process situation

[@bailey9928]

I love how much detail you put into these! Love love love and also agree with all the things you said! (very glad you checked out these as well! Always love hearing your analysis on these things :-D) I'd be more than happy to see you look at more Taylor content :D keep up the great work man!

[@yamilesalcedo8172]

I’ve been waiting so longgggg for you to react to Taylor😭🤩, I would love to see more😁

[@lauradias9253]

PLS REACT TO OTHER TAYLOR SWIFT SONGS!!! she's by far my favorite person ever pls react to: (music videos) Lover Delicate Wildest Dreams Blank Space All Too Well(song)

[@sunnysunsins]

(19) I want to recommend you some Owl City: - The Real World - The Yacht Club - Angels - Galaxies (my favourite) - Meteor Shower - Early Birdie - Hot Air Balloon - Sunburn
- Embers - Not all heroes wear capes - Be Brave - Hospital Flowers - Firebird - Designer Skyline - Beautiful Times

[@mytablet5180]

Yes! I am so happy that you made this video! I also really recommend her Netflix documentary, Miss Americana.

[@ansleydestefano5556]

I'm so excited that you are trying to stan Taylor Swift! She is able to tell stories so well through her music! Can't wait to see more!

[@Rachel-ub3hv]

i love the level of analysis you go into about the lyrics!! I would love a taylor part 2! Other artists i’d love to see you listen to are phoebe bridgers or rina sawayama :-)

[@lunamonir3073]

If you’re interested in doing more Taylor songs, I highly recommend Cruel Summer, So It Goes, King of my Heart, Wildest Dreams, This Love, Story of Us, Delicate, Death By A Thousand Cuts, Lover... oh boy I have so many more but I realize that’s already a lot... sorry! 😅

[@starself0]

You should totally listen to more of folklore! seven, illicit affairs, exile & this is me trying are my favourite :)

[@mysterytwins127]

wow you immediately hit the nail on the head for august , and yes, that bridge is so painful🥲

[@jaleigh3335]

you should try isaac dunbar! some songs i'd recommend are: blueberry brows women on the hills freshman year isaac's insects suicide scorton's creek colony

[@kasiak7736]

And colony!

[@jaleigh3335]

@@kasiak7736 there there i added itt :)

[@kasiak7736]

@@jaleigh3335 thanks haha

[@lostmyhead.171]

PLEASE LISTEN TO MORE! I recommend all too well, best day, never grow up, this is me trying, my tears riochet, champagne problems, New Year’s Day

[@spilledmilk_1636]

Yes yes yes! You would LOVE folklore!! So many sad bops

[@allsingersme]

this is definitely one of my favorite analyses you've ever done! if you're going to approach Taylor Swift's music in a more direct route, you'll have to contend with the fact that Taylor has had very, very different music styles throughout her career. Her first two albums (self-titled and Fearless) are concretely routed in country, then Speak Now and Red are wayy more experimental, then 1989, reputation, and Lover are her pop phase before this current album, folklore, which is more folk inspired, obviously. The fandom likes to group the country and experimental phases together, and there's some merit to that, because there's still quite a lot of country in Speak Now and Red. In general, every album has a distinct sound and tone and that's worth noting upon. For Taylor Swift (IE self titled) I think you should check out Tim McGraw (her first ever single), Picture to Burn, Teardrops On My Guitar, Tied Together With a Smile, and Our Song. For Fearless, Love Story (her first crossover hit), You Belong With Me (her second crossover hit), White Horse, and Breathe. For Speak Now, Mine, Mean, Enchanted, Better Than Revenge (a punk song? on a taylor swift album? it's more likely than you think), Long Live, and Ours. For Red, State of Grace, I Knew You Were Trouble. (another classic), All Too Well (a fan favorite), Holy Ground, and Starlight. For 1989, Blank Space and Style are givens. You've already listened to Shake It Off. New Romantics is also really, really good. Reputation is very different from the rest of her music, because it's basically a concept album. I'd recommend I Did Something Bad, Delicate, and New Year's Day. Also, if you're so inclined, give Look What You Made Me Do another listen. For Lover, listen to Cruel Summer, Lover (as in the title track), The Man, Cornelia Street, and Daylight. If you're inclined to listen to more sonngs from folklore, the last great american dynasty, exile, my tears ricochet, seven, and invisible string are where the shit's at. Finally, and I know this is a long comment, you could also go the track five route. Track five is well known in the fandom as almost always been the most emotional track on each album. I included some of them in the above long list of recs, which is how I personally would introduce anyone to each album, but you could also just listen to all of the track fives, which would give you a somewhat long but more concise and specific video. These songs would be: Cold As You, White Horse, Dear John, All Too Well, All You Had To Do Was Stay, Delicate, The Archer, and my tears ricochet. Good luck.

[@FollyfootArt]

Would love to see your take on The 1975. Such a great rabbit hole to go down. -Somebody else -Robbers -Sincerity is scary -Love it if we made it -If you're too shy

[@Mickiethenothingness]

I love how in depth your analysis of these songs are! Please react to the whole album 💞💞💞

[@oneimperfectsong]

I’m definitely ready for a full Taylor deep dive from you. ❤️

[@tori6056]

Hope you’re doing well Bill. I know it’s cliche but your videos always lift my spirits. You’re open attitude towards trying new things is always refreshing

[@pohia]

i’d really love to see you react to the whole folklore album!! but if you want some specific recommendations i’d suggest exile, mirrorball, my tears ricochet, and peace!! thanks for the video, bill! as always, i loved your interpretations of the songs! super insightful, it’ll definitely give me more to think about the next time i listen to the album

[@milliaboo765]

omg yes!!! please do a trying to stan of 'the amazing devil' - they're a band that i think you'll really like, comprised of joey batey (jaskier on 'the witcher') and madeleine hyland. here are some of my absolute favourites of theirs: - farewell wonderlust - battle cries - the horror and the wild - fair - that unwanted animal - pray - king - elsa's song - not yet / love run

[@FlowersForVax]

yessss!!! please do The Amazing Devil!

[@jessicamessicaa]

the stars have aligned, i have been waiting for this moment

[@chelseas1346]

okay but I would LOVE to see your reaction to some old Taylor! like red, speak now, basically all of it lol

[@13リナ]

I hope one day you'll do the full folklore reaction 😭 I really like your insight.

[@ayaalabbas3675]

I love how angry he was of James

[@ProdigalDaughterAlice]

This is a really fantastic video, I love hearing your analysis of the story-- the observation about the lack of credibility in Betty's narrator being reflected in the harmonica and the vowel sounds was mind-blowing; I never would have realized it myself but it was so, so effective and I think you're totally right! It was also kind of gratifying to hear you appreciate her voice; I think she gets some flak because her voice isn't very 'showy' most of the time? But she uses it to such great effect! I love this new album of hers; she co-wrote/produced with Aaron Dessner of The National on a lot of the songs and it's neat how you can hear his influence on the instrumentation even while her stunning songwriting skills are the main draw. She's a fantastic writer, and I'd love to see you do more videos on her! Her back catalogue is massive so it's hard to pick songs to suggest, but some of my favourites are Ours, Back to December, Mean, Red, Blank Space, Getaway Car, and Lover!

[@nightingaleoracle]

I would be so excited if you did a full series of trying to stan Taylor Swift, I really feel like the way you analyze music, you would really appreciate her as an artist. I know she has a huge discography, but even if you just did Red-Midnights(I feel like Red is where she really matured as an artist and all the albums after that have been amazing) you would get a lot out of it. And she has so many songs I think would be very interesting to hear your interpretation or analysis of them.

[@thethirdbill]

I'll tell you a secret... I want to do a video about Midnights but the mvs like a movie...and now I'm just waiting like a fool because I thought she would drop them all at once and I still haven't listened to a single song because either the idea is great, or im stubborn as hell lol

[@morghann21313]

Finally!! I've been waiting for Taylor for so long from you

[@juliaarosa3787]

You should totally do a video on the music you haven't heard from her!!! So many great lyrics for you to break down! 😍

[@chocoholicallemand9096]

It's a really good album, I'd be down for a full reaction. Exile with Bon Iver is beautiful.

[@SixtySecondYoga]

He said “just a summer thing” before he even heard the lyrics of Betty?? 😧